When I was younger, both in Middle and High School, coming to terms with my true identity was a serious challenge. I wanted to have a happy and successful future, but based on what I had come to understand about myself, I feared I wouldn’t have the opportunity to live the future that I wanted, or even have the same privileges that others had.

Near the end of my time in Middle School, I had figured out that I was sick. It was something that although I knew was true, I couldn’t accept the truth for what it was. I couldn’t even fathom how or when I would tell my family. So, I struggled with accepting my differences for much of this time because I was afraid what my future would hold. I didn’t want to be the way that I was; I wanted to be normal. I wanted not to have to worry about who might be offended by me or what other affects my sexuality would have on my future. I’ve always had an old soul, so dreaming of marriage and other “normal” aspects of my future was something that I had often done. At this point I was scared I wouldn't be able to leave a normal life or get married...